This course is designed to train math teachers in the use of math manipulatives and interactive media that will enhance instruction based on the TN Education standards.
Clear Targets
I will:
select and utilize manipulatives that align with the math standards for my grade level.
create expectations for effective use of virtual math manipulatives in the classroom.
share strategies for classroom implementation.
Direction for Our Students - Bring in 21st Century Mindset
Types of Math Interactive Tools
The Manipulative sets below fall into one of 3 different categories, pure manipulatives, targeted manipulatives, and interactive math activities.
Pure Manipulatives
Targeted Manipulatives
Interactive Math
Open
Simplified
Restrictive
Pure Manipulatives are those that are truly open in nature. They can be used in a multitude of ways to learn math at the conceptual level and beyond.
Targeted Manipulatives have a standard or two as their focus. They will have questions and provide feedback to students. They can still function separately from the questions, but are meant to complete one purpose.
Interactive Math is centered on questions with some interactive feature, usually just "Click on the..." type of activity.
This is a settings adjustment that may need to be performed on teacher and student machines when using manipulatives that require Java. Click below to Download Directions.
Additionally, Java will not work in Google Chrome on either Macs or PCs.
Computer Programs
Kidspiration3.0 - Kid3
This software is preloaded on all elementary student/teacher computers and has a wealth of math manipulatives and templates pre-loaded and ready to use.
Give students everyday practice with interactive online testing type questions while collecting deep insights into what they know or don’t—and how you can help. Choose from the template library or create and share your own assessments within your school. Receive immediate performance data. Because it is cloud based, it works on any device with internet and can be accessed with single sign-on with a Google Apps for Education account.
iPad Apps
Search for More Apps and Virtual Manipulatives
The rate that the number of digital resources grow is mind boggling. It is, at the very least, a full-time job combing through the Internet just to find and check them. Since no one has that job, harnessing social network tools where others share their knowledge and opinions is a huge time saver. Below are two examples of search tools.
It Is Not About What You Have, But What You Do with What You Have
All too often, teachers become disillusioned by what the limitations for materials, access to tools, or amount of time. Those constraints cause many to shift their focus from what their class and teaching can do to what it can't. Don't fall for it.
In the YouTube video below, look at what happens when you stop worrying about what you don't have and start to think about what you can be done with what you do have. (Pay special attention to what kind of guitar Clay is using.)
Creating Math Centers Using Virtual Math Manipulatives
Virtual Manipulatives make a perfect fit for both relevant and rigorous math centers which allow the teacher to easily differentiate so that all students are working at their independent level reinforcing learning objectives covered during classroom instruction. While some teachers are able to pull a center activity together in a matter of minutes with little effort; others may need some guidance to get them started, centers created, modeled, and deployed. Below you will find several teaching aides to support you as you begin to use center activities.
Center Planning Form Template -
Feel free to tailor it to fit your needs.
When the process becomes routine this may no longer be needed.
Students should always show evidence
of time well spent while working in center -
Whether they print a result, complete a checklist, or keep a log;
they know there is a purpose/learning to the activity they are doing.
When using websites with young children try making icons
for the website and putting that shortcut on the desktop. This can
be easier than having them go to bookmarks in a browser
window.
Still Screenshot - Mac - Hold Shift and Command Keys and press 3; PC - Use Snipping Tool or Window 'S' key; iPad - Press the Home Button and Lock Screen button together
Video Screen Capture - Mac or PC - ScreenCast-O-Matic or Mac - QuickTime > FILE >New ScreenRecording
Give students everyday practice with interactive online testing type questions while collecting deep insights into what they know or don’t—and how you can help. Choose from the template library or create and share your own assessments within your school. Receive immediate performance data. Because it is cloud based, it works on any device with internet and can be accessed with single sign-on with a Google Apps for Education account.
Let's Collaborate!
Collaboration is an expectation for CMCSS teachers. The spreadsheet above allows participants to collaborate by sharing their favorite manipulative with ideas for classroom implementation. This spreadsheet can be referenced throughout the year.
Table of Contents
Clear Targets
I will:Direction for Our Students - Bring in 21st Century Mindset
Types of Math Interactive Tools
The Manipulative sets below fall into one of 3 different categories, pure manipulatives, targeted manipulatives, and interactive math activities.Web-Based Manipulatives
- K-2 Resources
Thinking Blocks
Teaching Ideas for using Number Rack
- 3-5 Resources
Interactivate -
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/byAudience/
Thinking Blocks
- Settings Adjustment for Java
This is a settings adjustment that may need to be performed on teacher and student machines when using manipulatives that require Java. Click below to Download Directions.Additionally, Java will not work in Google Chrome on either Macs or PCs.
Computer Programs
Kidspiration3.0 - Kid3This software is preloaded on all elementary student/teacher computers and has a wealth of math manipulatives and templates pre-loaded and ready to use.
Directions for use of Kidspiration on this wiki at Using Math Tools in Kidspiration
Logger Pro
Elementary Novice and Advanced
Edulastic -
Give students everyday practice with interactive online testing type questions while collecting deep insights into what they know or don’t—and how you can help. Choose from the template library or create and share your own assessments within your school. Receive immediate performance data. Because it is cloud based, it works on any device with internet and can be accessed with single sign-on with a Google Apps for Education account.
iPad Apps
Search for More Apps and Virtual Manipulatives
The rate that the number of digital resources grow is mind boggling. It is, at the very least, a full-time job combing through the Internet just to find and check them. Since no one has that job, harnessing social network tools where others share their knowledge and opinions is a huge time saver. Below are two examples of search tools.Using Virtual Manipulatives within a Lesson
It Is Not About What You Have, But What You Do with What You Have
All too often, teachers become disillusioned by what the limitations for materials, access to tools, or amount of time. Those constraints cause many to shift their focus from what their class and teaching can do to what it can't. Don't fall for it.
In the YouTube video below, look at what happens when you stop worrying about what you don't have and start to think about what you can be done with what you do have. (Pay special attention to what kind of guitar Clay is using.)
Clay Shelburn & Zac Stokes- Walmart Rockstars - "Pride and Joy" - http://viewpure.com/600ykNF3md4?ref=bkmk
Creating Math Centers Using Virtual Math Manipulatives
Virtual Manipulatives make a perfect fit for both relevant and rigorous math centers which allow the teacher to easily differentiate so that all students are working at their independent level reinforcing learning objectives covered during classroom instruction. While some teachers are able to pull a center activity together in a matter of minutes with little effort; others may need some guidance to get them started, centers created, modeled, and deployed. Below you will find several teaching aides to support you as you begin to use center activities.
Feel free to tailor it to fit your needs.
When the process becomes routine this may no longer be needed.
Using the template above
of time well spent while working in center -
Whether they print a result, complete a checklist, or keep a log;
they know there is a purpose/learning to the activity they are doing.
for the website and putting that shortcut on the desktop. This can
be easier than having them go to bookmarks in a browser
window.
Other Ideas to Connect Students, Tools, and Learning
Edulastic -
Give students everyday practice with interactive online testing type questions while collecting deep insights into what they know or don’t—and how you can help. Choose from the template library or create and share your own assessments within your school. Receive immediate performance data. Because it is cloud based, it works on any device with internet and can be accessed with single sign-on with a Google Apps for Education account.
Let's Collaborate!
Collaboration is an expectation for CMCSS teachers. The spreadsheet above allows participants to collaborate by sharing their favorite manipulative with ideas for classroom implementation. This spreadsheet can be referenced throughout the year.
Rationale for Use
Sample of research findings pointing to virtual manipulatives having greater results than physical manipulatives.http://www.cited.org/index.aspx?page_id=151
Overview of Blended Learning - Khan Academy video tutorials featuring content from the Christensen Institute
Common Sense Media
SOS Strategies - For a great list of classroom strategies shared by Discovery Education, visit http://tinyurl.com/SOS-strategies.